New Voices in Public Policy
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New Voices in Public Policy was a student-run journal that was published by the GMU Graduate School of Public Policy (later the Schar School of Policy and Government).
Published from 2007 to 2014, it provided a forum for insightful analyses, new approaches to significant policy questions, and the best examples of student writing from the school's diverse programs.
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Item Item American Environmental Associations in the Age of Climate Change(2008-12) Peretz, Neil M.Explores public attitudes toward Global Warming.Item Balancing 'Brick-and-Mortar' and 'Bits-And-Bytes': An Analysis of Cyber Charter School Funding in Pennsylvania(2007) Clarke, Suzie; Hurlburt, Steven; Wines, LindsayThis paper examines the controversy related to the funding and management of Pennsylvania cyber charter schools through a discussion of the important characteristics of cyber charter schools and their emergence in Pennsylvania. In particular, it looks at the sustainability and fairness of the current funding model from the perspectives of both cyber charters and local school districts.Item Best Practices for Successful Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)(2007) Edloe, L. LenisseThis paper identifies and discusses “best practices” for successful disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants in intrastate military conflicts and civil wars, which is a vital component of achieving peace among warring factions. By extracting and examining lessons learned from United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations over the past decade where DDR has been successfully employed, a clear set of best practices with respect to each component of DDR emerges.Item Black Swans, Crisis Economics, and Globalization: A Critical Appraisal(2011-06-29) Illgner, Astrid; Platt, Juhani; Taylor, BrandonThe severity of the recent global financial crisis has sparked intense debate among economists, politicians, and the public regarding the factors that led to the downturn, as well as the future of U.S. fiscal policy. Amidst the debate, general sentiment is echoed in a question from New York Times columnist and author Andrew Ross Sorkin: “could the financial crises have been avoided? That is the $1.1 trillion question3⁄4the price tag of the bailout thus far. The answer to that question is ‘perhaps’.”1 In the search for causes, we are also examining the nature of our economy, the roles financial institutions and government play within it, and hopefully an insight that can shelter us from unforeseen hazards.Item Changing Attitudes towards Minimum Wage Debate: How is the Neoclassical Economic Theory holding in the face of a New Era of Minimum Wage Studies(2007-10) Krasniqi, MikraThis paper compares the traditional neoclassical economic perspective with the recent empirical findings regarding minimum wage effect on employment. The comparison is done by reviewing and analyzing relevant literature and data that have recorded, over time, the changing attitudes toward the issue since the Great Depression era. By taking this approach, the argument is made that in the face of recent scientific findings and empirical research studies, the neoclassical argument that minimum wage laws have a negative effect on employment is gradually losing its appeal among scholars as well as practitioners. As a result, a new public debate is taking place on the issue, which in turn, has begun to have a transformative impact in the policymaking of minimum wage at the state and federal levels.Item Combating the Opium Trade in Afghanistan(2009-12) Choi, Mike; Elko, Brett; Krentel, Jeff; Lander, Natasha; Valenti, AmyOur paper will begin with an overview of the history of the drug trade in Afghanistan, and an assessment of why the illicit trade of opium is critical to US interests. We will then address the political and economic effects of the narco-trade on Afghanistan, which will identify possible impediments to successful implementation of counternarcotics plans. Next, we will discuss the Five Pillars Plan, which encompasses the five main policies of the US counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan. Through an understanding of these issues and assessments, we will be able to analyze whether US policy strategies will be effective and whether US counternarcotics policies are addressing these issues.Item Consideration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: How this Landmark Bill Made Its Way through a Divided Congress(2009-12) Hertz, K. J.Due to the landmark-nature of the economic recovery bill, how it made its way through a divided Congress deserves examination as we look ahead to other major legislative initiatives this Congress—such as health care reform and global climate change legislation. This paper will examine the political and procedural aspects of how the economic recovery bill advanced through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and the Obama Administration‘s role in setting priorities and parameters for the legislation. This work examines the degree to which the economic recovery bill was a leadership driven initiative and the role committees of jurisdiction played in drafting the legislation. It also looks at the procedural steps each chamber took to move the economic recovery bill and the degree to which the process varied from ―regular order‖ and House and Senate rules and norms. Finally, the paper explores the reconciliation of differences between House and Senate bills, and how the political dynamics of each chamber influenced the negotiations as a compromise agreement was brokered between party leaders and key Senate moderates.Item Corruption, Capitalists, and the Crime-State Nexus: Criminal Infiltration of the Russian Economy and Implications for the Future(2010-04) Willingham, Kelsey J. V.This paper examines the evolution of organized crime and corruption in relation to the Russian economy, focusing on examples from the banking, energy, and mineral-industrial sectors. An historical perspective of Russian organized crime's economic role during the Soviet Union is provided, followed by an examination of the factors which enabled unprecedented economic infiltration during the transition period and privatization. Next this paper provides an assessment of organized criminal influence in three crucial sectors of the Russian economy: banking, mineral-industrial, and energy. Finally, this paper examines current polices and their shortcomings, and provides a series of policy recommendations for lessening the economic influence of organized crime and ensuring the development of a properly functioning market economy in the Russian Federation and a successful integration with the global economy.Item Critique of Michael L. Ross‟ Article, “Oil, Islam, and Women”(2009-12) Al-Nasr, TofolIn his study on the relationship between “Oil, Islam, and Women,” Michael L. Ross concludes that gender inequality in Arab states is influenced by oil rather than Islam.1 This is a captivating argument to me as a female from energy-rich Qatar who is most familiar with the legal rights granted to women. Throughout this paper, I challenge Ross‟ conclusions based on components of Sharia, and argue that Islam, as a basis for “Bedouin biases” is indeed the central cause for “gendered citizenship.”2 Further, reform is taking place in some countries as a result, rather than in spite, of oil revenues.Item Evaluating the Impact of Federal Abstinence-Only Education: A Research Synthesis(2007-10) Warden, Rebeccafrom the introduction by Professor David Armor: Rebecca Warden wrote this as a term paper in PUPB 713 (Policy and Program Evaluation). This is an excellent example of a research synthesis on a major federal policy initiative. Warden did a thorough search to find the best evaluations of sexual abstinence programs, and she gave special attention to the methodological quality of each study-- which she takes into account in weighing the findings and arriving at her policy conclusions. Her novel use of Exhibits is very helpful for giving the reader a brief summary of the major points and findings of her analysis.Item Evaluation of Senate Bill 80 in the State of Colorado(2009-04) Andino, Elaine; Arguijo, Grace; O'Connor, Kathleen; Stinner, John P. JrThis policy analysis, based on a fictitious but plausible request from the Governor of Colorado, evaluates proposed legislation strongly to encourage high school girls to be vaccinated for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the nation’s most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). After careful analysis of the proposal and alternatives to it, these authors come to the counter-intuitive conclusion that the governor should veto this legislation, if approved by the legislature. This paper is a model of solid policy analysis that arrives at a surprising but well-supported recommendation. -- Introduction by Dr. Catherine E. Rudder.Item Item Funding New Infrastructure: Virginia's Public Private Transportation Act Experience, 1995-2006(2007) Jones, James WebbThis paper examines the Commonwealth of Virginia’s experience utilizing a state Public Private Transportation Act [PPTA or the Act] to promote funding for new infrastructure. Virginia’s PPTA is an initiative that federal highway officials recommend as a model for public private partnership legislation. Federal highway researchers have performed an exhaustive 28-point analysis of Virginia’s PPTA and found it to be extremely flexible. This paper will review Virginia’s PPTA project history and the use of the PPP concept and tolls in the United States. The paper will then focus on recent PPTA developments in Virginia including the June 29, 2006, $548 million concession arrangement concluded with an Australian toll operator to manage and maintain the 8.8-mile tolled Pocahontas Parkway near Richmond. Finally, this paper will present some conclusions about Virginia’s experience.Item Green Energy for Information Technology Data Centers: An Analysis of Energy Procurement Options for the Federal Government(2009-04) Kavitz, Paul; Moore, Kevin; Morgan, Adam; Nottberg, TravixThis report compares alternatives to current data center service procurement trends based on: (1) total emissions, (2) relative cost, (3) performance, and (4) feasibility. Overall, the research herein suggests that, due to the complexity and variety of data center technology needs, a transformative green policy option is not currently available for data center services. However, it is recommended that the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) mandate energy measurement standards and encourage agency procurement officers to incorporate the Energy Star® Program guidance into future data center procurementsItem Green International Political Economy: Issues And Policy Concerns(2011-06-29) Gopalan, Sasidaran; Liu, Jeremy; Tefera, Temniteolicy-makers across the global spectrum and in the United States (US) in particular, are grappling with the classic problem of an ‘environment-economy tradeoff.‘ The phenomenal increase in the emission of greenhouse gases has contributed to erratic climate changes. The insatiable appetite for energy due to an exploding global population has also led to a gross mismatch of energy demand-supply dynamics. With the US struggling to recover from the global financial crisis, there is an ever-increasing pressure on the US government to take urgent measures culminating in economic recovery. But any such acceleration could also come at the cost of our environment. So how does government effectively design optimal policies that would simultaneously address both of these problems? This policy brief suggests economically viable and politically feasible policy instruments that the US could consider in order to solve this conundrum.Item Ground Control to EPA: The Regulation of Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Clean Air Act(2009-04) Woods, Clinton J.Due to a variety of recent legal and political developments, aviation interests face the potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, aircraft engines, and aviation operations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 231 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This significant turn of events could radically alter the regulatory, environmental, economic, and safety landscape confronting the airline and aerospace industries at the federal level. This paper will assess the driving forces prompting this outcome, including: a more environmentally activist Obama presidency (and the corresponding character of the EPA); the Supreme Court’s 2007 decision in Massachusetts v. EPA; Congressional pressure for a climate change solution; petitions from both state governments and nonprofit organizations to the EPA over aviation emissions; and the EPA’s recently released blueprint for economy-wide greenhouse regulation under the Clean Air Act.Item Hedge Funds(2008-12) Patel, AshishThis paper seeks to provide insight into what hedge funds really are, how they operate, and the relevant aspects of regulatory reforms being proposed. The paper will provide arguments from various stakeholders within the industry and draw on some conclusions as to the effects and feasibility of proposed regulatory reforms.Item Impact of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy(2007-10) Hentges, Justin DThis paper is a synthesis of six studies on the impact of the DADT policy, beginning with a brief history of the program and then reviewing various evaluations that have been done on the program. Finally, it discusses some policy questions regarding DADT that are not specifically addressed in the evaluation studies.Item Injustice for All? Why Congress Should Require Criminal Intent for Criminal Convictions(New Voices in Public Policy, 2011) Hildebrandt, Rebekah